Tet Offensive
The Turning Point
Before 1968
• LBJ says the war is going great
• William Westmoreland Said we were in the
mopping up stages
The Attack Starts
• Jan 30, 1968, the first day of the Vietnamese
New Year, Tet
• VC launch a massive attack, striking
without warning both civilian and military
targets (supposed to be a cease fire)
– They attack five major cities in South Vietnam
– Kill over 2,000 U.S. soldiers
– Takes all day but the U.S. recaptures all but one
city, but many are destroyed
U.S. Wins The Fight
• Killed or wounded 80,000 Viet Minh and
VC
• U.S. loses 2,000 soldiers and 4,000 ARVN
• North Vietnam has to go back to guerilla
war
• U.S. wins the battle but loses
Response At Home
• Media’s response
– Walter Cronkite – declares the war at a
stalemate
– LBJ’s reports are questioned for their accuracy
– Nightly broadcasts portray the brutality of the
war
– What the news shows contradicts
Westmoreland’s positive reports
Response At Home
• American’s response
– Only 26% approve of the way Johnson was
handling the war
– Johnson decides not to run for re-election
• Military’s response
– Westmoreland asks for 200,000 more troops
– LBJ’s advisors tell him no amount would
ensure victory
– LBJ won’t send troops and appeals to Minh for
peace